Edwards' 41 pace Annapolis, 75-39

Annapolis had not been particularly impressive recently, but last night the Panthers -- and especially Dennis Edwards -- were.

Edwards broke out of a slump to score 41 points and personally outscore host Broadneck, as Annapolis enjoyed 15-2 and 18-0 runs at the start of each half en route to a 75-39 victory over the Bruins.

The triumph opened breathing room for Annapolis in the Bay Division of the Anne Arundel County 4A League. The Panthers improved to 6-0, and Broadneck fell to 6-2.

The Bruins have failed to defeat Annapolis in regular-season play for the first time in three years.

The fast start by No. 4 Annapolis (14-2, 10-1) kept 10th-ranked Broadneck (11-4, 7-4) out of the deliberate offense it ran so well in a 43-36 loss at Annapolis Jan. 4.

"We have to make sure that the tempo is controlled by us," said Bruins coach Ken Kazmarek. "The better Annapolis can operate and control the tempo, the more deadly they become."

"Tonight was not so much what we failed to do, but what Annapolis came out and did. They came out with a fury -- and they have the ability to do that to anybody in this county."

Annapolis, winning for the third time in its past five outings, made 22 of 38 shots en route to a 61-25 lead after three quarters.

The Bruins were still within reach, 37-21, at halftime, but Edwards scored the first 13 points of the second half on fast breaks and quick moves in the lane.

Then, after Rob Wooster (11 points) sank two technical free throws, Delmore Howard ripped in a three-pointer from the corner that capped the 18-0 run and opened a 55-21 edge.

Boris Beck, Broadneck's 7-foot-2 center, had his team's only four points of the quarter.

"That was a very unusual start for us, to say the least," Annapolis coach John Brady said. "Our offense has been struggling, mainly because we've missed some easy shots. Tonight, we made those shots.

"How could anybody complain about this effort? Everything fell into place. Games like this don't happen often enough."

Edwards, benefiting primarily from baskets off the break, hit 17 of 21 field-goal attempts and the last seven of eight free throws. "I felt pretty comfortable out there because we were playing team ball," he said. "It was easy."

Annapolis hit 57 percent (28 of 49) of its shots. Broadneck, which was led by Beck's 12 points, managed just 28 percent (14 of 50).